In a city like New Orleans, with a great deal of traffic, much of it driven by out-of-town visitors who may be unfamiliar with the city, and full of pedestrians, crashes involving cars trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians are not uncommon. Many are caused by drivers not paying attention to their driving for the typical reasons of alcohol or drugs, distracted by texting or electronics or drowsy from staying up too late.
All of these are dangerous and can lead to crashes that leave victims with severe injuries or in the worst cases, fatalities. But there are other causes of crashes that are less typical and more unexpected. Such a crash that occurred last week in New Orleans, when a tow truck returning with tow suddenly careened across a parking lot of a shopping center at Tulane and South Carrollton avenues in Mid-City.
Three individuals waiting at the bus stop were killed and another was injured. The owner of the towing company has said the driver suffered a medical emergency which caused his loss of control of the vehicle.
He claims there was no drugs or alcohol involved and that the driver was not speeding. The tow truck driver apparently suffered a seizure. It was the first time he had experienced such an event and was prescribed medication at the hospital after the crash. He was not facing criminal charges because of the crash. The owner offered his sympathy of those killed and injured and promised that they will be “taken care of” and that they would “make everything good.”
Well-intentioned as he may be, if you are injured in any type of motor vehicle crash in New Orleans, you should consult with your own attorney before you agree to any settlement. It is also a good reminder that all moving vehicles are dangerous and you should always watch any vehicle that could pose a risk. You never know if a driver has suffered a stroke or seizure and no longer can control their vehicle.